The Wilmingtonian., 1887-06-04
Tess Noise and More Music.


virtue and the only possible chance OF pro-
gress by not putting obstruction III the way
Of patient reception of honest criticism.
We are all aware that true general de-
scription of our church and choral singing in
the average Wilmington church is that there
is too much bawling and not enough sing
ing. To those who have ''musc in their
souIs'' this is very regre' table fact. But, it
is a true accusation. The condition, that OF
noise instead of music is at last come to be
serious evil Both congregation and choir
are equally to be blamed for it. 1t makes
one seriously doubt whether there is any
good taste left among us, and whether we
shall ever advance beyond the detestable
Rubcon of seeing who can yell the loudest
in Gods House. Our singers (save the
mark seem to think ''the whole duty
of man. and woman, for that mater,
is fully discharged as long as the walls and
ceilings are made to resound and re-eeho
with inhuman brayings
But,such barbaric trumptings in less musi
eally- backward communities then ours are
not allowed to be considered music. Why
cannot we advance leyond the crude step OF
| volume of noise to the more heavenly step
of the music of sweet sounds. Noise is not
by any means necessary factor of music.
The aborigines of Central Africa think
otherwise and so they clatter numerous
| drums ...
| The most attractive music heard by the
masses, if we judge Alright is the delightful
der various titles of negro minstrels ETC.,
| used to tramp around the country fascinat-
| ing all with their organ-like vocalization.
We all remember so we'll, the writer is
sure, the attractive fascination in modula-
ton and thorough subduing of high sharp
notes and helter skelter of promiscuous
shouting.
Music is the grandest, purest and most
elevating gift that God has blessed human
ity with Why then should it be turned in
to so great an affection!
O,that some great prophet, or reformer,
some Martin, Luther, some David or St.
George would arise and slay this vile Drag.
Of Wantley appearing in the guise, at this
present day of our Lord, OF bowling ON
ni-present fetch deadens and obstructs all
intelligent advance in church congregation.
al music.
Go to almost any church Of Sunday
morning in this city and you will see thu
pretty young ladies and gentlemen in tht
choir loft, good-naturedly distending thei
throats and piping away with excess of graf
uitous yelling! And to quote Holy Writ
''they think they do God service" Coult
they but read the heart-wailings and heart
rendlB III Ine DFetSlS VI IuSlI NicpimlAe'
audiences, the wild hopeless sympathy fel
towards them and their noisy efforts, wha
would they think!
AS community we have graduated il
noise We have proved the possession o
good lungs and the absence Of consciou
modesty in the rendition" of its to nse tn
phraseoogy of local music critics. Now a
that has been demonstrated, and nobod
should try to deprecate the value of tina
elementary step, let us beg and beseec
. our professors OF music, our directors, choi
leaders, and organists and all in authorit!
to rein in aud train down these rampant vo
calists. For their own sakes as we'll as tina
/. of the general public they should not be a
: allowed to make great noise forever.
Mise and music are not interchangeab b
terms. This is simple assertion but
! needed would cause a wonderful revolutiC
y in the churches-indeed it may be the cau
of the humiliation of an unexpressed bl
d suspioiously large extent of silent bias
: hemy in the pews.